Packaging machinery



Jun 20, 1950 sANDBERG 2,512,073

l PACKAGING MACHINERY June 20, 1950 o. sANDBERG 2,512,073

PACKAGING MACHINERY Filed Sept. 18, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Qur* o. SANDBERG PACKAGING MACHINERY Filed Sept. 1s. 194s 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR June 20, 1950 o. sANDBERG PACKAGING MACHINERY 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 18, 1946 I N VEN TOR.

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June 20, 1950 o'. SANDBERG 2,512,073

PACKAGING MACHINERY Filed Sept. 18, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Figa.

INVENTOR. 0,56% 7362/1 db. allg:

Patented June 20, 1950 Package Machinery Corporation, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio I Application september 1s, 194s, seriai No. 697,7851- 3 claims; (o1. 1959-162) This invention relates to packaging machinery,- and particularly to the conveyer mechanism and drive for delivering articles to be packaged to a wrapping station, and to a mechanismfor cleaning portions of the conveyer each time it has contained an article which is sticky or gummy, such as, jelly rolls, iced cakes or sticky candy.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved conveying means for conveying articles to4 be packaged to a wrapping station. p

It is another object of the invention to provide positive retention of articles to be wrapped on the receptacle of a moving conveyer, which aiiords ready removal by the usual split elevator.

It is still another object of the invention to vpro-f vide a novel drive mechanism for a conveyer means for delivering articles to be packaged to a wrapping station.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved apparatus for cleaning pockets of a Wrapping machine which is simple in construction and` operation, has few moving parts and requires veryl little power for its operation.

It is another object of the invention to provide a rotating brush for cleaning pockets of a Wrapping machine.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a rotary brush for cleaning the pockets of a wrapping machine wherein the brush is moved through the pocket in one direction without rotating and is rotated by its contact with the pocket when it moves therethrough in the opposite direction; and, furthermore, to provide a reservoir of liquid below the brush, through which the brush moves and in which the brush rotates for cleaning the same.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a pocket cleaner which may be applied to existing machines.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: y v

Figure l is a side elevation of one end of the improved packaging machine;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the remainder of packaging machine, with the wrapping mechanism omitted for the sake of clarity;

Figure 3 is an end view of the machine taken v on line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a partialtop plan View of the may chine taken on line 4-4of Figures'l and `2; n

, y 2 j Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line -5-f5 oi Figure 1;

-l Figure 6 is` a sectional view taken on line GHG of Figure 4;4 X Figure 7 `is a sectional view taken on line I--fll o f Figure 4;

Figure 8 is an enlarged side elevation of the,l

cleaning brush and part of the mechanism associated l therewith; and

Figure 9 is an enlarged view ofthe brush and"y its mechanism taken on line 9-9 of Figure 8.Y

Referringspecically to the ldrawing for a de-s tailed description of the invention, it is to be,

noted that this invention-is related to and may be used with the packaging machine shown' in my:

copending application, Serial No. 654,079, filed Marchv r13, 1946, although not limited to use With such a machine.

As best shownin Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, lthel machine is mounted on a base plate I I which ,sup-` ports a number of heavy upright structural mem,A bers i2, which in turn support various shafts and; Further-vv more, the membersV I2 support a pair of parallel;

equipment, referred to in detail later.

heavy rods I3 near the top of the members I2, and the rods I3, in turn, support conveyers et cetera..l

An electric motor. Id is supported on one ofthe structural members I2 and drives a larger pulley- I5, which in turn drives a smaller pulley I6 by.

means of a belt I'I. The smaller pulley lrotates va pinion gear-I8, which engages with and drives', a larger gear I9 secured to a main drive shaft 36 correspondingfto shaft 36 in my aforesaid co-L.

pending application, Serial No. 654,079, iiled.

March 13, 1946.

Referring to Figure 2, the right-hand end oli:

shaft 36 is journalled in one of the end supporting 2l indicating its directionl of movement.

The shaft 26 rotates a holding cam 28 and a' crank-arm 29, which are both secured to shaft 26, and a shaft 3| is driven through a Geneva movei' j ment, including a disc 32 having notches 33 therein which are engaged by a crank-pin 34 on crank' Y. arm 29. Vshaft 3| is, therefore, driven intermits'jj. tently. A sprocket 35 is driven byshaft 3| and.'v sprocket 35 drives a sprocket 35a intermittently l Sprocket 35a rotates a'shaft 38'supported on bracket 40, on which is also sei.'v cured a larger sprocket 33 for intermittently drivthrough a chain 3l.

ing a continuous conveyor chain 4| having spaced U-shaped article receiving pockets 42 mounted thereon and movable therewith.

As best seen in Figures 1 and 2, the conveyer chain 4| passes over idler sprockets 43 and 44 and over a large idler wheel 45. The idler pulleys 43 and 44 are journalled on shafts 46 and 41 supported from rods I3 and-bracket 48, respectively. The idler wheel 45 is journalled on a shaft 49, which is supported by arms 5| secured to rods |3 by couplings 52, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6.

Referring now to Figures 1, 3, 8 and 9, the other end of shaft 36 is journalled in an end supporting member |2 and hasvsecuredthereto a crank 53, to which is attached a rod 54, which rod 54 is reciprocated by crank 53 as shaft 36 rotates. jacent its other end to a rock arm 56, which rocks a rock shaft 51 journalled in end supporting member I2. The rock shaft 51 in turn rocks an arm- 58 pivotally secured to-an arm 59, which in turn pivotally secured to one end of a bell cranklever 6|. Bell crank lever 6| is secured to a rotatable shaft 62 supported from base |I, and the other end 69' thereof provides one bearing support 63 for a rotatable brush shaft 64, to whichis secured `a rotary brush 65.

A- vertical arm 66 is also secured at its lower end to shaft 62 and is rocked in the same path asend 69 of` bell crank lever 6| by shaft 62. The

upper end of arm 66 isprovided with a bearing` 61- notches 69 in the ratchet wheel by a tension spring 12 attached at one end to pawl 1| and at its other end to arm 69.- As best shownA in Figure 9, the brush 65I wipes through the individual U-shaped pockets 42 and is of sufficient depth and width to adequately contact and clean all: An open topped the interior surfaces thereof, tank orcontainer 19 is supportedY from main supporting members |-2 and contains liquid,

preferably water, in which portionsof the brush |555 are submerged at all times and through which the brush moves and rotates, in a` manner hereinafter described.

Referring to Figur 1, 3 and 4 to 7 inclusive, for a description of- L-shaped traveling end members or plates 13 for-the individual pockets 42, as well as; the drive therefor, a sprocket 14 is attached to shaft 46 on which idler sprocket 43 is mounted, and sprocket 14 is intermittently driven thereby. Sprocket 14, in turn, vdrives a chain 15 which rotates a sprocket 16 on a horizontal shaft 11 journalled-in a bearing 18 provided in an angle member 19 secured to end supporting member I2. A bevel gear 8| is rotatedL by shaft 11, which bevel gear drives a bevel gear 82 on a vertical shaft 83, which is provided with bearings 84 in angles |35v also secured to the end supporting member I2.

The upper end of vertical shaft 83 rotates a sprocket 86 secured thereto, which in turn ro-` tates sprockets 81 and 88 on shafts 89 and 9|, respectively, through a chain 92. The chain passes over the sprockets 81 and 88 in such a manner that they are rotated in opposite directions, for a purpose hereinafter described. TheA chain also passes over an idler sprocket 93 supported on a member 94; A plate 95 secured to the end member I2 supports member 94 and shafts 89 and 9| extend through the plate 95.

Rod 54 is pivctally attached at.55 ad` Sprockets 96 and 91 are rotated in opposite directions by shafts 89 and 9|, respectively, and drive chains 9S and 99, to which are secured the end plates 13, so that the end plates 13 are aligned and driven intermittently with pockets 42. The chains 98 and 99 pass over idler sprockets |9| and |02, respectively, which are journalled on shafts |93 and |94 supported on brackets |95, which brackets |95 are supported' by the main Ysulplflorting rods I3, as best shown in Figure 7.

Thus inner and outer runs are provided for each side plate conveyor. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6, a pair of supporting plates |96 are provided for-each of the chains 98 and 99, which are also supported on brackets |95 from the main supporting rods I3. Chain guides |91 are mounted onthe innermost pair of plates |95, as shown in Figure 6, which guides maintain the end plates 13` in proper relationship with the pockets 42.

As shown in Figures 4 and 6, preferably cards |98` are disposed in the. pockets 42, either manually or byfautomaticmeans, such as disclosed int my copending application, Serial No 697,782, led- September 18, 1946 fory Packaging Machine for Candy, Cookies, and the Like, which cards are merely stiff cardboard in flat pieces-to assist in wrapping the article to be packaged with paper or cellophane. The cards extend under the L-shaped end plates or guides 13, as shown in Figure 6.

Operation Iny operation, when the motor I4 is energized, it is operated continuously as long as articles are placed in the pockets 42 to be wrapped. The motor I4 drives the chain 4|, on which pockets 42 are mounted, intermittently, through the` Geneva movement 32, 29 and 34 and moves the upper run of pockets, step by step, to the right, as viewed in Figures 1 and 2. The shaft 46 and sprocket 14, which are rotatedY intermittently byl the conveyer chain 4|, intermittently move the guide plates 13 with thev pockets 42'and prevent sidewise movement ofthe article to be wrapped and also guide the cards |98. This is accomplished through the chain drive 15, bevel gears 8| and-82, shaft 33 and sprocket and chain 96 and 92, respectively. The articles to be wrapped are automatically removedl from the pockets 42 and are delivered to a wrapping station bya suitable split ram or-elevator (not shown) which is usually disposed adjacent the idler sprocket 39. The factV that the side plates are spaced from the open endsof thepockets or receptacles, and terminate some distance from the ends of upper run of the receptacle conveyer, permits the use of'such an elevator. Such Wrapping stations and elevators are well known in the art, and since this mechanism forms no part of the present invention specifically, further description thereof is dispensed with.

As the pockets 42l intermittently move to the left in the lower'run, as viewedin Figures 1 and 2, the brush 65 is oscillated by bell crank lever 9| and upright arm 66, rst to the left, as viewed in Figure 3, passing through a` pocket 42. The friction ofthe brush passing through the pocket tends to rotate the brush 65 counter-clockwise, but such movement is prevented byl the pawl 1| and ratchet 69. The crank 53 rotates at such speed with respect to the conveyer chain 4| that the brush 65 is returned through the same pocket 42 to the right in Figure 3 before that pocket moves. On the return stroke, the brush 65 is rotated in a clockwise direction by the friction of the brush passing through the pocket. The brush is, therefore, rotated through the water in the tank 10, to clean the brush of any sticky substances, such as molasses, for example, and effectively cleans the pockets 42.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided an improved packaging machine conveyer and guide mechanism, and drive therefor, as well as an improved and unique pocket cleaning mechanism of simple design and properly timed operation with the pocket conveyer.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my packaging machinery without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modied forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope without sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

I claim as my invention:

1. A packaging machine for wrapping packages containing articles and a form card, said packaging machine comprising a plurality of receptacles for receiving the articles to be wrapped, said receptacles being open at opposite ends, a continuous conveyor for said receptacles, means for intermittently moving said receptacle conveyor, the length of said receptacles being smaller than the length of the wrapped packages, the base of each receptacle serving as a support for a form card longer than said receptacle and extending from the ends of said receptacle when positioned therein, said card being a support for the articles to be wrapped and serving as a form for the wrapped package, an upright side plate disposed adjacent to each open end of a plurality of said receptacles, said side plates being at least as large in area as the open ends of said receptacles, a pair of continuous conveyors for the side plates for the respective open ends of said receptacles, means positioned beneath the side plate conveyors for supporting said side plate conveyors, the bottom edges of said side plates lying in a plane spaced above the plane of the supporting face of the base of the receptacles an amount greater than the thickness of the form card, said side plates being spaced from the open ends of the receptacles and above the extended ends of the form card, and means for intermittently moving said pair of side plate conveyors in synchronism With said receptacle conveyor, whereby a receptacle and a pair of said side plates move together in registry with each other along a portion of the run of the receptacle conveyor.

2. A packaging machinefor wrapping packages containing articles and a form card, said packaging machine comprising a plurality of receptacles for receiving the articles to be wrapped, said receptacles being open at opposite ends, a continuous conveyor for said receptacles, means for intermittently moving said receptacle conveyor, the length of said receptacles being smaller than the length of the wrapped packages, the base of each receptacle serving as a support for a form card longer than said receptacle and extending from the ends of said receptacle when positioned therein, said card being a support for the articles to be wrapped and serving as a form for the wrapped package, an upright side plate disposed adjacent to each open end of a plurality of said receptacles, said side plates being at least as large in area as the open ends of said receptacles, a pair of continuous conveyors for the side plates for the respective open ends of said receptacles, means positioned beneath the side plate conveyors for supporting said side plate conveyors, the bottom edges of said side plates lying in a plane spaced above the plane of the supporting face of the base of the receptacles an amount greater than the thickness of the form card, said side plates being spaced from the open ends of the receptacles and above the extended ends of the form card, said supporting means for the side plate conveyors being adapted to restrict any endwise motion of the form cards, and means for intermittently moving said pair of side plate conveyors in synchronism with said receptacle conveyor, whereby a receptacle and a pair of said side plates move together in registry with each other along a portion of the run ci the receptacle conveyor.

3. A packaging machine for wrapping packages containing articles and a orm card, said packaging machine comprising a plurality of receptacles for receiving the articles to be wrapped, said receptacles being open at opposite ends, a continuous conveyor for said receptacles, the length of said receptacles being smaller than the length of the wrapped packages, the base of each receptacle serving as a support for a form card longer than said receptacle and extending from the ends of said receptacle when positioned therein, said card being a support for the articles to be wrapped and serving as a form for the wrapped package, an upright side plate disposed adjacent to each open end of a plurality of said receptacles, said side plates being at least as large in area as the open ends of said receptacles, a pair of continuous conveyors for the side plates for the respective open ends of said receptacles, supports positioned beneath the side plate conveyors for supporting the side plate conveyors, said side plates being spaced from the open ends of the receptacles and above the extended ends of the form card, means mounted on the side plate conveyor supports for restricting endwise motion of the form cards, and means for moving said pair of side plate conveyors in synchronism with said receptacle conveyor, whereby a receptacle and a pair of said side plates move together in registry with each other along a portion of the run of the receptacle conveyor.

OSCAR SANDBERG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,111,752 Lichtenstein et al. Sept. 29, 1914 1,168,905 Paridon Jan. 18, 1916 1,431,770 Ayres Oct. 10, 1922 1,946,452 Bridges Feb. 6, 1934 2,036,643 Richard Apr. '7, 1936 2,200,276 Hothersall et al. May 14, 1940 2,403,374 Kalmar et al. July 2, 1946 

